Sunday 1 April 2018

Ransom Riggs: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2011)

    As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Goodreads).

    A very unique concept with found photography is fleshed out beautifully in this introductory novel to Riggs' trilogy. The first half of the novel is particularly excellent in establishing characters and conflict, and although the protagonist is a bit of a brat at times, his multidimensional character gives wonderful substance to the plot around him. The supporting cast has its moments, but are slightly flat at times (other than the protagonist's father, who has great depth, and almost needed more plot dedicated to his internal conflict). After the first half, the book slips slightly into the YA novel trap of typical good versus evil tropes and a weak romance. The main villains aren't too interesting, but Riggs' use of descriptive language and red herrings overwhelms the novel's few shortcomings, most of which are hopefully redeemed in the last two parts of the trilogy. All in all, a great world-building novel that combines intriguing images with an equally compelling story. 8.0/10